Camping Le Pin

You'll need at least a day in Mont-de-Marsan whatever flavour of hol you go for: sightseers and cultural connoisseurs both have loads of top picks here. Any sightseeing should start off with a saunter of the Old Town (walking tours around its handsome old buildings run year round on request via the tourist office), followed by a peaceful and restful time at the Japanese garden and flower garden of Parc Jean Rameau. Animal Park Nahuques and its adventure playground are to hand too if the kids are now revolting, and has free admission. (Or take them to Château de Gaujacq, an hour and five minutes' drive away, where they can dress up in 17th-century clothing.) If you're more up for getting active, take the bike path from Mont-de-Marsan to Villeneuve-de-Marsan (about 17 kilometres), or set off along the towpath on the Tartas part of the Midouze river.